if the town be not too much taken up with great affairs, to take any notice of either.

I hold the resolution I told you in my last, of seeing you if you cannot take a trip hither before I go. But I would fain flatter myself so far as to fancy we might travel together. Pray give me a line by Saturday's post.

I am at all times, and in all reigns, whatever be the fate of the world, or of myself, sincerely and affectionately, Dear Mr. JERVAS,

All here most truly your servants.

Yours, etc.

SIR,

LETTER LIX.

TO JABEZ HUGHES, ESQ.

I HAVE read over again your brother's play, with more concern and sorrow than I ever felt in the reading any tragedy.

The real loss of a good man may be called a distress to the world, and ought to affect us more than any feigned or ancient distress, how finely drawn

soever.

8 This Letter to Mr. Hughes, with the excellent character of his deceased brother, being so contradictory to one addressed to Dean Swift, in which he says, The author of the Siege of Damascus was of the class of the mediocribus in prose and verse, made it necessary to sink the first.

The Siege of Damascus, written by John Hughes, Esq. who died Feb. 17, 1719, the first night of its representation.

I am glad of an occasion to give you, under my hand, this testimony, both how excellent I think this work to be, and how excellent I thought the author.

I am, etc.

SIR,

1

LETTER LX.

TO MR. DENNIS.

May 3, 1721. I CALLED to receive the two books of your letters from Mr. Congreve, and have left with him the little money I am in your debt. I look upon myself to be much more so, for the " omissions you have been pleased to make in those Letters in my favour, and sincerely join with you in the desire, that not the least traces may remain of that dif ference between us, which indeed I AM SORRY FOR." You may therefore believe me, without either ceremony or falseness, Sir,

Your, etc.

DEAR SIR,

LETTER LXI.

TO HIS FATHER.

THIS is to beg you would enquire of Mrs. Clark, if she will board a family for the summer in her

These books were entitled, Original Letters, familiar, moral, and critical. In two volumes 8vo.

house, and at what rate? Be pleased also to ask at the house over against ours, Mr. Gascoin's sister, if she will board, &c. and how many beds there are to be let there, and the lowest rate? and send word by the first post you can to me. I am very well, and beg you both to believe me most affectionately, Your, etc.

LETTER LXII.

TO THE SAME.

DEAR SIR,

I HAVE recovered the ten guineas at Sir Richard Hoare's. Dr. Arbuthnot says, since my mother is better, to cure the bitterness she complains of, she should chew rhubarb and snake-root, about half a dram each morning, for two or three days, instead of a vomit. But if she will venture a vomit, not. Carduus tea can do no harm, even if she should not vomit.

I have sold 500l. at 1007. which was bad luck, since it might have been parted with yesterday and to-day at 1017. and a half. I hope soon to see you, but desire an account how my mother does, and am Your, etc.

DEAR BROTHER,

LETTER LXIII.

TO HIS BROTHER.

Saturday. I HOPE to be with you on Monday next: if you don't see me that night, I desire you to send a man and horse (such a one as I may ride safely) on Tuesday morning to the Toy by Hampton Court gate by ten o'clock, and I will not fail to wait upon you; which being all the business of this letter, I shall add no more, than that I am my sister's and Yours most affectionately.

DEAR SISTER,

LETTER LXIV.

TO HIS SISTER.

Twickenham, August 1. THE business of this is to acquaint you with my intentions of sending for you with the chariot on Thursday or Friday next, in order to get you hither. I have named the latest day that I could possibly allow you to stay from us, being obliged to lend the chariot upon a journey on Saturday. We will take no denial, and therefore expect no excuse, or answer to the contrary, from you. If I hear nothing (as I hope I shan't), it shall certainly come one of the days aforesaid: so pray be in readiness. My hearty love to you both, and my mother's kindest remembrances. I am always, dear sister,

Your, etc.

SIR,

LETTER LXV.

FROM MRS. M. BLOUNT.

Sunday Morning.

My sister and I shall be at home all day if any company come that you don't like, I'll go up into any room with you: I hope we shall see you.

LETTER LXVI.

Yours, etc.

DEAR MR. GAY,

TO MR. GAY.

ABOVE all other news, send us the best, that of your good health, if you enjoy it; which Mr. Harcourt made us very much fear. If you have any design either to amend your health, or your life, I know no better expedient than to come hither, where you should not want room though I lay myself in a truckle-bed under the Doctor. You might here converse with the old Greeks, be initiated into all their customs, and learn their prayers by heart as we have done: the Doctor, last Sunday, intending to say Our Father, was got half way in Chryses' prayer to Apollo. The ill effects of contention and squabbling, so lively described in the first Iliad, make Dr. Parnelle and myself continue in the most exemplary union in every thing. We deserve to be